Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of large-scale energy grid failure scenarios on the resilience of the UK’s (a) critical infrastructure, (b) public services and (c) defence and emergency response capabilities.

Large-scale energy grid failure has the potential to severely disrupt all other critical systems and cause widespread disruption to public services provisions, businesses and households. However, Great Britain has a highly resilient energy system. The National Electricity Transmission System has never experienced a complete shutdown, and the likelihood of this occurring is assessed as low in the National Risk Register.

Nonetheless, Government prepares for all eventualities and works with a range of stakeholders across the private sector and public sector to prepare for and exercise robust contingency plans, including planning to maintain emergency response and defence capabilities.